I lost a state championship to a boy. I refuse to lose my voice

I have never been much of a crier.

So when my softball team lost in the semifinals of the Minnesota state tournament, I surprised even myself. I sobbed to my parents and family. I was devastated, confused, and hurt. But underneath it all was a sense of helplessness.

I was a senior, and my biggest goal was to make the state tournament and play alongside my younger sister. We made it. We battled through the tournament as underdogs. And then our season ended because the opposing team...